MetaGPT ver 0.6.4 has a sec vuln allowing QaEngineer to execute arbitrary code due to mishandling of shell metacharacters.
MetaGPT through version 0.6.4 has a security vulnerability that allows the QaEngineer role to execute arbitrary code due to improper handling of shell metacharacters in subprocess.Popen.
Understanding CVE-2024-23750
This section will cover what CVE-2024-23750 is and the impact it has, along with the technical details and mitigation steps.
What is CVE-2024-23750?
CVE-2024-23750 is a vulnerability in MetaGPT version 0.6.4 that enables the QaEngineer role to run arbitrary code by leveraging the RunCode.run_script() function that passes shell metacharacters to subprocess.Popen.
The Impact of CVE-2024-23750
The impact of CVE-2024-23750 is significant as it allows unauthorized users with the QaEngineer role to execute malicious code within the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or system compromise.
Technical Details of CVE-2024-23750
In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in MetaGPT version 0.6.4 arises from the improper handling of shell metacharacters in the subprocess.Popen function within the RunCode.run_script() method, enabling the execution of arbitrary code.
Affected Systems and Versions
All installations of MetaGPT up to and including version 0.6.4 are impacted by CVE-2024-23750, regardless of the vendor or specific product versions.
Exploitation Mechanism
By leveraging the vulnerability in MetaGPT version 0.6.4, individuals with the QaEngineer role can exploit the flaw by passing specially crafted shell metacharacters through subprocess.Popen, leading to the execution of unauthorized code.
Mitigation and Prevention
Here, we will discuss the immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.
Immediate Steps to Take
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2024-23750, users and administrators should restrict access rights, review user roles, and validate input to prevent the execution of unauthorized code within MetaGPT.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities in third-party libraries are essential long-term strategies to enhance the security posture of applications like MetaGPT.
Patching and Updates
It is crucial for users of MetaGPT to stay informed about security patches released by the vendor and promptly apply updates to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-23750, safeguarding against potential exploitation and maintaining the integrity of the application.